TENNIS in DEPTH.

Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki lost her opening match for the second consecutive week, falling to American Christina McHale 6-4, 7-5 Wednesday in the second round of the Western & Southern Open. Wozniacki also lost her opening match last week in Toronto. The Dane had not faced the 76th-ranked McHale, who broke Wozniacki in the 11th game of the second set with a delicate drop shot. She clinched the match when Wozniacki sailed a forehand long.

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the tournament in Cincinnati with a right toe injury. Williams, who won titles at Stanford and Toronto this summer, did manage to win her first-round match against Lucie Hradecka on Tuesday, but said that when she woke up on Wednesday morning her toe had swelled. Williams had surgery on right foot last fall. ”It’s not a good time to take a big chance,” she told reporters. “I might have a better chance [at the U.S. Open] if I rest up and get healthy. Venus advised me to do what’s best for my body and that’s rest. I’ll take a few days off and then resume and keep going for everything.” Williams is currently ranked No. 31 and despite her withdrawal will still likely be seeded at the U.S. Open.

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